Proverbs
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Proverbs 18
Proverbs 18
1He that separateth himself seeketh his own desire, And rageth against all sound wisdom.
1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Commentary · verse 1
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
3When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt, And with ignominy cometh reproach.
4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Commentary · verses 2-4
The words we used and the actions we took were planted as an effect in our hearts.
5To respect the person of the wicked is not good, Nor to turn aside the righteous in judgment.
5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Commentary · verse 5
It was not good (right and just) to honor the wicked.
6A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Commentary · verse 6
A fool, one without understanding, called for physical ramifications.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Commentary · verse 7
A fool's words brought him destruction.
8The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts.
8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Commentary · verse 8
Gossip was destructive.
9He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Commentary · verse 9
Those who were slothful (resting without work) were a "brother" to a destroyer/evil.
10The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Commentary · verse 10
The Lord's name was a strong tower and the righteous ran to it and were protected. The word "name" meant "cause." In this case, the righteous ran after God's causes: Right and Just.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honor goeth humility.
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Pride (cause) came before destruction (effect). Humility (cause) came before honor (effect). This was a powerful summary for everything we have read in these three chapters. Pride and humility were causes and the effects were physical results.
13He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him.
13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Commentary · verse 13
We ought to want all the information possible, we ought to seek understanding.
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Commentary · verses 14-16
A man who gives (loves) will have "doors" of opportunity opened with great men.
17He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.
17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Commentary · verses 17-19
It was hard to "win" a brother that had been offended. This was why repair was so important. When you offended someone, what did you do to make it right?
20A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
20A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Commentary · verses 20-21
"Death and life were in the power of the tongue" - Our beliefs are made up of words and sentences. Knowing the definitions of the words you use is crucial to understanding WHAT you believe and WHY you believe it.
Doctrines on this passage
22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.
22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Commentary · verse 22
Finding a wife was a good thing because a wife was a "help meet." They were a perfect and superior match to man. See Genesis 2:18.
23The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly.
24He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Commentary · verses 23-24
Proverbs 16-18 covered three chapters that continued the theme of contrasting the ability to handle emotions with physical effects. Next were specific examples that continued to further this theme...
Those who isolated themselves sought their own desires and went against all sound wisdom. God desired that we fellowship with others, that we sought the best interest of others. Living wisely led to putting the best interest of others ahead of your own desires.